Glass Wings Blog

The Glass Wings mailing list and blog is for general idle chit-chat about things we find interesting, especially humor, animation or other subjects relevant to the Glass Wings web site.

Cruise ships urged to ‘clean up their act’ amid concerns toxic effluent being dumped on Great Barrier Reef

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 13:56:24 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/dec/01/cruise-ships-urged-to-clean-up-their-act-amid-concerns-toxic-effluent-being-dumped-on-great-barrier-reef>

"Environmentalists and tourism operators on the Great Barrier Reef say
authorities must enforce stricter pollution standards on cruise liners visiting
the world heritage area amid growth in passenger cruise numbers and concern

The COVID inquiry report is an excellent guide to preparing for the next pandemic – health cuts put that at risk

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 13:54:19 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/the-covid-inquiry-report-is-an-excellent-guide-to-preparing-for-the-next-pandemic-health-cuts-put-that-at-risk-244820>

"The rising threat of epidemics and pandemics adds urgency for the government
to act on the recommendations of the long-awaited inquiry into New Zealand’s
COVID response.

‘I have done nothing wrong’: Juanita quit her job at a Melbourne brothel to work from home. Now she’s being evicted

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 13:52:46 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/dec/01/i-have-done-nothing-wrong-juanita-quit-her-job-at-a-melbourne-brothel-to-work-from-home-now-shes-being-evicted>

"When sex work became legal in Victoria, Juanita* decided to quit her job at a
brothel and begin working privately from her home in Melbourne’s western
suburbs.

A new model accurately predicts the migration of humpback whales – and may help them survive climate change

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 13:50:59 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/a-new-model-accurately-predicts-the-migration-of-humpback-whales-and-may-help-them-survive-climate-change-244396>

"This year’s humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) season in Australia has
almost come to an end. The beloved mammals are on their way to Antarctica for a
summer of feeding. Next year from April onwards, millions of people will again

After the hīkoi, the challenge: the Treaty principles debate and an honest reckoning with history

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 13:48:55 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/after-the-hikoi-the-challenge-the-treaty-principles-debate-and-an-honest-reckoning-with-history-244806>

"After the hīkoi, the haka, the flags and the tumult, what next?

In the absence of obvious answers, a thoughtful and respectful discussion about

Belgium becomes first country to give sex workers robust labor rights and protections

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 13:47:36 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.npr.org/2024/12/01/nx-s1-5212435/belgium-sex-workers-labor-protections-rights-first>

'Belgium made history on Sunday as the first country in the world to allow sex
workers to sign formal employment contracts — granting them access to sick
days, maternity pay and pension.

‘He is one of us!’: US anti-vaxxers rejoice at nomination of David Weldon for CDC

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 03:53:32 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/01/antivaxxers-david-weldon-cdc-nomination>

"When Donald Trump nominated David Weldon, a 71-year-old doctor from Florida
who has long questioned the safety of vaccines, to lead the US Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anti-vaccine activists celebrated.

Rabies could become a disease of the past. Here's what it would take

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 03:50:04 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.npr.org/2024/07/12/nx-s1-5028577/rabies-dogs-vaccine-americas-africa-asia>

"A few years ago, as a first year doctor in the Philippines, Ricky Dann Marquez
had to pin a teenage patient’s hands to the hospital bed.

Protests erupt across Georgia in defiance of government's anti-EU stance

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 03:48:35 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://kyivindependent.com/protests-erupt-across-georgia-in-defiance-of-governments-anti-eu-stance/>

'Mass protests against the pro-Russian government have broken out in major
cities across Georgia, despite police attempts to disperse demonstrators, the
Georgian outlet Sova News reported on Nov. 30.

‘Unbelievable’ renaissance of rare cloud forest as unique species reclaim paradise

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 03:45:41 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-23/lord-howe-island-cloud-forest-rare-ecosystem-species-return/104407260>

"Mist hangs in the air, embracing the giant mosses and clusters of tree orchids
that adorn the summit of the majestic Mount Gower on Lord Howe Island.